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Norwich 3 Gillingham 0

By Patrick Goss

With the race for the title hotting up Norwich City kept up winning ways, but it took a long time for the floodgates to open against 10-man Gillingham.

The Canaries must have felt the game was theirs for the taking from the moment Barry Ashby was dismissed for a professional foul 26 minutes in.

The Gillingham defender could have little complaint at the dismissal - clearly pulling back Darren Huckerby as he cantered through.

However, The Gills are made of stern stuff, and they defended stoutly as the hosts became steadily more aggravated.

The relief in the stadium was palpable when the deadlock was finally broken - Alan Pouton putting through his own net under pressure from Malky Mackay.

A minute later and the football was flowing as substitute Phil Mulryne headed home cleverly after a fine cross from McVeigh.

A quickfire third was the icing on the cake, McVeigh brilliantly curling home first time after being picked out unmarked by Huckerby.

McVeigh should have had his second two minutes later, firing woefully over with the keeper to beat, but it mattered little to the fans - who will know that it would take a disaster to keep them from winning a Premiership place next season.